Perforation-reading device for sorting machines and the like



' `n 28'v .1927. J e E. A. FORD PERFORATION READING DEVICE FOR SGRTING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 25. 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 28 1927. June E. A. FORD f PERFORTION READING DEVICE FOR SRTING MACHINES AND THE LIKE FiledFeb. 25. 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 0125458789 0125456759 l @I2-0456769 O|25456769- j 01204567.09 O25456759 0,25456759 0125455789 0in/54.56089 0025456789 CIO-34.58789 002.0456789 012.3456789 r i... C .MV//M///// .Jun 28, 1927,. 1,633,936

. E. A. FORD PERFORATION READING DEVICE FOR SORTING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 25. 1924- 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 28, 1927.

E. A, FORD' PERFORATION READING DEVICE FOR SORTING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 25, 1924 4 sheets-sheet 4 Patented June 28, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EUGENE A. FORD, F WEST NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T0 THE TABULAT- I ING MACHINE COMPANY,OF ENDICOTT, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION 0F NEW JERSEY.

PERFORATION -READING DEVICE FOR SQRTIYNG MACHINES AND THE LIKE.

Application led February 25, 1924. Serial No. 695,000. f

This invention relates to improvements in sorting machines for perforated tabulatmg cards such tems.

Straight sorting machines when used for sorting cards having designating numbers embodying a plurality of figures, say, three, requires three runs of the cards, sorting first the thousands column, then the hundreds and finally the units column.

In certain statistical work occasion arises where there are a great multiplicity of cards of like designation intermingled with. other differently desi ated cards and it is frequently desirab stack .a considerable number of like cards to permit other statistical operations such as tabulating to be put under way thereon before the sort is finally completed on the entire stack. For such purposes it is desirable that multiple column sorting be made in one run through the sorting machine to avoid the necessity of -making ,individual runs for each column.

The present invention is directed. to a multiple unit or column sorter of this character which will be simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Further objects reside in the provision of a sorting machine of thischaracter in which set-ups' .of the machine for a given number embodying figures in a plurality of record A further object of the .presentinvention resides in the provision of perforation reading devices of such character' that the selection of controlling columns rmay be made from a plurality of columnswhich may be either adjacent or not upon the record and. in fact, they may be disposed in any desired groups or combinations of card fields as selected by the operator.

A further-object. of the present invention resides in the'provision of a novel form of card. reading devices which may be set for as are used in the Hollerith sys@ e to rapidly sort from the I a desired reading and which will'take the reading from the cards while the latter are in continuous motion through the machine.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a sectional view of the machine. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail sectional view. Fig. 3 is si' transverse section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a detail of the card deflector in operating position.

Fig. 5 1s a vlew of one of the tabulating cards.

.Fig 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a circuit diagram.

In the drawings, l() represents the supply pocket containing a stack of record cards, from which the cards C are removed one by one by a picker 11 and advanced to sets of f-eed rolls l2. Suitable guides 13 (Fig. 6) guide the cards at their edges to other sets of feed rolls 14 and 15. Below the lowermost rolls is a stacker 16 of conventional form which places emer ing reject cards in the reject box or stack 1 The' stacker and f feed rolls are all geared together by the gearing shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1

Adjacent the card stacker is a sorting pocket 18. For deflecting sorted cards into this pocket I provideJ a deflector device comprsing defiector blades 19 fixed to shaft 20 (Figs. 2, 3 and 4) and adapted to be rocked anticlockwise into deflecting position by suitable springs 21. Finger arms 22 are lfixed to the shaft 20 and cooperate with a cam 23 fast on one of the feed roll shafts. C Also'fixed to the shaft 20 is a suitable finger or arm 24 which engages a notch in the armature 25 of sortingmagnet 26. When cardsfare to pass to the reject box, the parts are inthe position shown in Fig. 1. When the sorting magnet is energized to cause the cards to pass to the sorting box, the notch clears the finger as shown inl Fig. 2 but the deiector plates are not rocked until a later time in the machine cycle on account of the contacting vof finger arms 22 with cam 23.

The parts are timed to permit the deector l plates to be rocked just before the lower edge of the next following card reaches-the plates. The deflector platesv then operate to deect the card into the sorter pocket in the manner shown in Fig, 4. The foregoing devicesare those commonly used in sorting machines and require no further detailed description.

Card reading devices.

The means for reading the card perforations which are disposed in a plurality of columns is of such type that readings may be effected with the cards in motion. Furthermore, the reading devices may be initially set up to any desired amounts, which amounts may be in a. plurality of columns disposed adjacent to each other or in nonadjacent fields. Thus the machine may be set to sort out at one operation all cards which are perforated with certain designations in a plurality of fields.

The gear trains for lthe feed rolls include lower pairs of intermeshing gears 28 and upper pairs 29. Suitable upper and lower pairs of cranks 30 and 31 are fast to the studs upon which the gears are mounted and carry upper and lower cross shafts '32, 33, 34 and 35. These cross shafts form supports for two series of vertical bars 36 and 37. These bars are insulated from the shafts and individually from ,each other.

spring contact element 39. Each member 38 also is provided with a suitable springpressed locking element 46 which is adapted to snap v-into one or another of a series of notches 41 upon the edge of the bars 36. The locationof these notches is such that their position corresponds with the index pointpositions upon the record card. At

the bottom of the bars there' are a series of supplementary notches 41a which are usedy to retain any desired contact members in wholly inoperative position in which the contact elements do not align with any index position on the card. In Fig. 2, for example, the member 38 is set in the .fourth notch from the top of the bar which represents the index point designation l on the record card. It will be understood that in setting up the machine forsorting the contact members must be initially set up to the desired numbers in the variousrcontrolling columns. To facilitate the setting up of the contacts suitable index plates 42 (Fig. 3) are provided which have their index numbers in alignment with the corresponding valued notches on bars 36 (see Fig. 3).

In the operation of the machine the movement of the bars36 and 37 is such due to the arrangement of the gearing and the proportions of the parts that the contact elements have an initial movement of lapproach towards the card, then for a short period when in contact with the cardtheywmove substantially synchronously therewith in a downward direction. During this period Jhe spring contact elements 39 will move through corresponding valued holes in the,

point perforations in different record card columns. y

Referring now to the circuit diagram (Fig. 7), 50 represents a switch adapted to connect lines 51 and 52 with a suitable source of current. 53 is the sorting motor. `The Vmotor circuit is the conventional one used in sorting machines. Depression of start key 54 closes acircuit from line 51 through the two stop keys 55 through relays 56, 57 and 58 to line 52. Energization of relays 57 and 58 closes the motor circuit which is afterwards maintained after the opening of the start key contacts by card lever contacts 59 which close upon the passage of cards. The starting motor may be stopped automatically upon the exhausting of the cards by the opening of the contacts 59 or at' any time by the depression of either stop key 55.

The sorting circuit.

The sorting circuit includes sorting niagnet 26 and cam contact devices 66 which aie those usually used in machines of this class to make the circuit during the passage of thc cards and to break the circuit at a fixed point in the cycle. From the right side of the contacts 60 one lead 61 leads to the contact point of a relay 62 which is connected to line 52. In settingthe machine preparatory for sorting a number of connector Wires are vutilizedto connect thepvariou's bars 36 and 37 on the columns in which sorting is to be effected. In the diagrammatic view sorting is desired on the first 3 left hand columns and upon the last three right hand columns. Accordingly, a lead 62 connects lNi ' current fiovv to the sorting magnet after the card contacts open and to prevent arcing at the contacts when the latter move away from the card.

rlhe stick relay also serves to maintain the sorter magnet energized until the lower edge of the card C has advanced in proximity to the dcfiector plates. Upon the. rotation ofthe deflector'controlling cam the deflector will deflect the previously read card into the sorting pocket. i

In practice the lea-ds and jumpers 62, (33, 68, etc., will be providedy with suitable jaw clips, plugs or like devices to enable the connections to be made readily and to permit them to be changed from time to time when various column combinations are to be used.

The final step in the sorting circuit cycle consists in the breaking of tlie sorting circuit and the stick circuit (il by the( opening of contacts 60. The sorting operation is repeated for following cards so long as controlling perforations are 'present which agree with the set u of the machine. If other cards pass nner the contactors. the piclnupl or series circuit is not established and the card or cards are delivered to the` reject pocket.

l. In a card controlled machine adapted for reading the index point perfora-tions of passing record cards and determining the control of the machine upon the passageof all cards having predetermined index point punched designations therein, said machine comprising in combination, means for feeding record cards through the machine, means for simultaneously sensing atu one reading operation a plurality of the perforations of each passing record card while the card is in motion, means for setting the aforesaid sensing means in accordance with desired index point values, and means for controlling the operation of the machine upon the passage of a record card which has punch* ings therein corresponding to the set-up of the sensing devices. l

,2. In a card controlled machine adapted for reading lthe index point perforations of passing record ca'rds and determining the 'control of the machine upon the vpassage of all cards having predetermined index point punched designation-s therein, said machine comprising in combination, means for feeding record cards through the machine, means including a settable element for each different index point column for simultaneously sensing at one reading operation a plurality of perforations of --each passing -record card While the card is in motion,

means for coupling the aforesaid settablc means for conjoint action in accordance with the desired index point columns upon which readings are to be taken, and 'means for controlling the operation of the machine upon the passage of a record card which has punchings therein corresponding to the setup of all the scttable elements.

3. In a card controlled machine adapted for reading the index point perforations of passing record cards and determining the control of the'inachine upon the passage of lall cards having predetermined index point,v punched designations therein, said machine comprising in combination, nic'ans for con- 'tiniioiisly feeding record cards through the iiiachine,vnieans for simultaneously sensing at one reading operation a plurality of perforations of each passing record card, suoli perfo ations being disposed in a plurality of selected columns, means for'setting tlie aforesaid .sensing means in accordance with desired index point values, means for coupling the sensing means of different index point columns for conjoint operation, and means` for controlling the opeiation of the machine upon `th'c'passage of a record card which has punchings therein corresponding to the set-up of the sensing devices.

4; A card controlled-machine including means for feeding cards through the niachine, card sensing devices, means for moving said sensing devices relatively to the cards to analyze the cards while the cards are in motion, and means for variously setting the element of the sensing devices to cause said sensing means to become operative only upon the passage of cards which have perforations therein corresponding to the set-up of sensing elements. i,

5. A card controlled machine in which one operation is effected when cards of a given /index point value pass /through the machine and in which a different operation is effected upon the passage of differently punched cards, said machine including in combination with means for reading al single index point perforation in -each of a plurality of columns of the record card While the card is in moti-on, means for setting the reading means for each index point column in accordance with desired values,

and means for coupling the reading means of a plurality of columns for conjoint action, said last mentioned means being selectable at will of the operator over the varioiiskindex point columns for the purpose described.

6. In a card controll-ed machine means for feeding record cards through the machine, a control circuit, a plurality of perforation reading means adaptedv to simultaneously 'lol read perforations in a vpluralit of index point columns on the record' car s While the cards are in motion, means for serially connecting reading devices which are disposed to read various index point columns, and means for seriallyV connecting the control circuit With the aforesaid means and readin devices for the purpose described.

g. The invention set forth in claim 6 in which the serially connected reading devices are cooperatively disposed over nonadjacent index point columns of the record cards.

8. A card controlled machine including in combination with a single controlling circuit having a single controlling magnet therein, of means including contact elements having a movement of translation with the forwardly advancing cards and adapted to Contact through holes in one or more columns of the perforated records for controlling said circuit, said circuit extending serially through a plurality of said contact elements, and detachable means for interconnecting desired sets of contacts for the purpose described.

9. A card controlled machina-including a control magnet and a control circuit, means for establishing said control circuit While the record cards are in motion through the machine, said circuit being established simultaneously through a plurality of record l card perforations disposed in a plurality of index point columns.

10. A sorting machine comprising a plurality of contact carrying elements, means for selectively adjusting the position of said elements to correspond with various index point positions upon a record card Which is to be sorted, a circuit through said contact elements, means for controlling said circuit by record cards, and a sorting magnet controlled by said circuit.

11. A sorting machine comprising in combination With controlling means for deliecting record cards to a sorting station, means operative with the record cards in continuous advancing forward motion for simultaneously presenting contact elements to a plurality of perforations variously disposed in various card columns,` and means conelements with which said contact elements make electrical contact upon the passage of index point perforations therebetween.

13. In a card controlled machine having means for reading the index point perforations of passing record cardsand determining the passage of all cards having index point perforations representing a predetermined number, said means comprising in combination, means for simultaneously sensin the perforated index points in one or a p urality of columns variously disposed upon the record cards While the cards are in motion, and means for setting the aforesaid means in various relative positions with respect to the cards to cooperate with the desired index numbers inthe different columns.

14. In a card controlled machine having means for reading the index point perforations of passing record cards and determining the passing of all cards having index point perforations representing a predetermined number, said means comprising in -combination, means for feeding record cards through the machine, means for simultaneously sensing the perforated index points in one or a plurality of columns variously disposed upon the record cards Whilethe cards are in motion and controlling means brought f into operation upon the correspondence lof the index point perforations of a passing card with the said sensing means.

15. ln a record controlled apparatus, in combination with means for feeding the records through the machine, means for sensing the records vWhile the latter are in motion, said means having provisions for simultaneously sensing index point designations in various fields of said records, and'means for controlling the operation of the machine in one Way When the values of each passing record agrees With the set-up of the machine and in a different Way when the designation number disagrees with the said set-up.

16. In a card controlled machine adapted for reading the index point perforations of passing record ncards and determining the control ofthe machine upon the passage of all cards having predetermined index point punched designations therein. said machine comprising in combination, means for feeding record cards through the machine, means movable synchronously with the motion of the `car'ds for sensing predetermined groups of perforations of each passing record card While the card is in motion. and means for controlling the operationv of the machine to deflect to a sorting station such record cards. which have punchings therein which correspond to the group of perforations which are read by the reading devices.

17. In a card controlled machine adapted for reading the index point perforations of passing. record cards and determining the control of the machine upon the passage of all cards having predetermined index point punched designations therein, said machine comprising in combination with a control circuit, means for feeding record cards through the machine, means for simultaneously sensing at one reading operation a plurality of perforations of each passing record card While the card is in motion, means for thereby establishing or failing to establish through the aforesaid sensing means and perforations a series control circuit, and means for controlling the operation of the machine in one Way upon the establishment lof said circuit and in a dierent way upon the opening of said circuit.

18. In a card controlled machine adapted for reading the index point perforations of passing record cards and determining the control of the machine upon the passage o all cards having predetermined index point punched designations therein, said machine comprising in combination, means for feeding record cards through the machine, means movable synchronously with the motion of the cards for sensing at onelreading operation all selected perforations of each passing record card While the card is in motion and means for controlling the operation of the machine upon the passage of a record card which has punchings therein corresponding to the set-up of the sensing devices.

In testimony whereof I hereto aifix my signature. 

